The restaurants of STARR and Knightsbridge restaurant groups are among the region’s most prominent dining establishments, frequented by the Democratic political elite. For example, Osteria Mozza has quickly become a “power” dining spot for D.C.’s elite, with famous guests including President Barack Obama, Jeff Bezos, and the Bidens. Workers are organizing for respect, stability and a seat at the bargaining table. At Le Diplomate, one of D.C.’s most prominent and highest-grossing restaurants, some back-of-house workers still do not make a living wage.
In January, supermajorities of workers demanded voluntary recognition at three STARR restaurants: St. Anselm, Pastis, and Le Diplomate. These workers hoped that restaurant owners would follow the example of José Andrés, who voluntarily recognized the workers’ union at The Bazaar just days after they announced their campaign. STARR refused and instead resorted to classic union-busting tactics that workers say should have no place in D.C. restaurants. Workers have reported that the company offered raises and promotions in exchange for campaigning against the union, threatened workers, and hired multiple outside anti-union “persuaders” to campaign daily against the union.
On February 21st, workers at St. Anselm voted to join Local 25. Instead of recognizing the result of the election, STARR Restaurants filed objections – joining Amazon in claiming that the NLRB lacks authority to certify union elections when there is not a quorum of NLRB members. There was not a quorum because Trump fired a member of the labor board in January. STARR also petitioned the NLRB’s Regional Office to cancel the union election at Le Diplomate scheduled for March.
Between STARR’s objection to the election at St. Anselm where workers won the union, its interference in the Pastis election, and the cancellation of the election at Le Diplomate, it’s clear that STARR does not respect free and fair NLRB elections. Local 25 has called on STARR to agree to a fair process for workers to decide on unionization at all of STARR’s D.C. restaurants free from threats and intimidation.
Workers at Rasika, Modena and other restaurants operated by Knightsbridge have also been organizing to join Local 25. Knightsbridge has fired 10 union supporters, and screamed and cursed at workers. In response, workers have picketed, leafleted and bullhorned regularly outside Rasika, Modena and other Knightsbridge restaurants.
UNITE HERE Local 25 is a hospitality workers union that represents 7,000 workers in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Local 25 members are primarily immigrants and women of color.